LIGHTS: THE REVENGE OF THE LIGHTS

wanted to ask a few direct questions to the expertheads

trying to do an off-road light solution on my 2004 taco pre-runner

i only do light off-roading on bad roads in baja as a means to get to some out of the way camp spots, i'm never sending it intentionally for the love of the boulders or trying to get it beat up

don't wanna do a proper expensive new front off-road bumper b/c thats overkill and too much $$$

but been scared off most bull bars as frame damage mulitpliers and radiator killers

been considering:

(1)
"light bars" like the RANDY ELLIS this one, is this any different than a bull bar as far as being a damage multiplier?: https://www.randyellisdesign.com/store/p22/Toyota_Tacoma_Light_Bar_(1996-2004)_#50051.html


(2)
roof mounts like this, anyone use em?
https://realtruck.com/p/carr-low-profile-roof-light-mount/v/toyota/tacoma/2004/


(3)
some funky attempt at direct bumper mounting like this champ: https://www.customtacos.com/threads/pics-of-off-road-lights-on-lower-valence-97-4x4.104162/

or this: https://www.customtacos.com/threads/the-all-mighty-topic-mounting-aux-lights.34692/


anyone got a cheap smart good way of mounting 2 off road lights that i won't regret?

 

Shoulda mentioned, not that stoked on ditch lights....will consider tho...guess im essentially asking:

1) how seriously to take the bull bar/light bar hate

and

2) are those direct to bumper mounts a terrible idea? b/c i love the concept, but can imagine lots of problems

 

I'd go with ditch lights like suggested

a bull bar is better in my opinion ion than like a Brush Guard in terms of being a damage multiplier. It may bend in and push the lights into the grill, but thats not nearly as bad as a brush guard bending in and hitting your hood. Thats where the damage multiplier really comes into play, I wouldn't worry about it as much with the bull bar. But it offers basically zero protection, it solely functions as a mount for lights

Roof light bars have mostly gone out of style from what I can tell, and that's the one you'd be most likely to regret, especially if you drill into the roof to mount it.

I don’t think direct to bumper is all that bad, but it is putting holes in your bumper if that bothers you.

I’m pretty sure people have mounted light bars behind the bumper shining through the hole in the lower plastic part of the bumper

 

I really don’t get ditch lights, the practicality of them, not to lack empathic perspective, but seriously, what is everyone using them for?

I guess they make sense, but they’re just flood lights on your hood, are you using them at low speed specifically looking for stuff in ditches? Wheeling at night? Scene lighting?

Otherwise, aside from assholes running amber fogs on the freeway and in the city (you know you’re assholes), running them (or any other high output light) in a setting they’re not necessary is pure douchebaggery.

I have a dual color light bar, and honestly, I only use the amber function. The white may be good at some times for scene lighting, but it sucks for most everything else- short throw/limited distance so worthless at high speed, not good in rain/snow because of glare, horrible for oncoming traffic so don’t even bother using it on an actual paved road.

The amber is awesome for what I like it for, driving on dirt roads at night- all other lights off, low light signature, very useful light at around 30 mph

Don’t buy for what is in style, buy for what you need/see useful.

Some people bag on people for running big round HID spots. Are they useful to you? Then who gives a shit

 

Appreciate! Gonna do a bull bar and some amber fog lights, suits my needs! and you echoed my thoughts on ditch lights, ive always thought the same...seems like kinda horrible placement for you AND other drivers, unless you're....looking into ditches which is maybe your thing no judgement

 

Not everyone’s cup of tea but I’m glad it’s there.

 

Being a part time Cabo guy... I dont go anywhere new at night as it always seems the lights dont illuminate what you really really want to see in the dark. I have flatland plate bumper/winch on my 96 and have yet to "need" the winch.

 

I have ditch lights on my second gen and I really like them. They're super helpful here in the UP during the winter to light up deer or other stuff on the side of the road. Obviously they stay off if there are other cars. I have a pair of low-profile lights from Nilight and I think they look great while being fairly under-the-radar.

 

Law here requires that auxiliary lights can only be installed up to a certain height off the ground as well as being below the headlights (and a max of 2). Heeding that, I decided to put mine in the side holes next to the where the winch goes on my ARB bumper. These are Hella FF75s that I put a yellow tint film over: